74 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS chap, xiv 
handy little 24 bore, and only 2\ drams of fine grained 
powder, I fired. The buffalo did not flinch, or 
respond in any way to the shot. I reloaded, but 
before the bullet was rammed completely home, the 
animal reeled to the right and left, and fell. It 
was dead, struck through the centre of the lungs, 
and the bullet was discovered in a rib upon the 
opposite side. Here was an instance where a large 
and powerful beast was killed by a single shot from 
an inferior weapon, but this was an exception, as 
such a chance seldom occurs of obtaining a quiet 
shot within 30 yards exactly at right angles with 
the shoulder. It will be seen from the descrip¬ 
tion I have given from my own experience that 
the buffalo should be held .in due respect, and that 
no unnecessary risks should be thoughtlessly en¬ 
countered. Above all, do not follow a wounded 
bull into a thick jungle, or you will assuredly have 
trouble ; it is a common trick for a badly wounded 
beast to turn from its direct course, and conceal 
itself in dense bush or high grass, from which it will 
rush unexpectedly, and charge your flank as you 
are following up the track of blood. If the forest is 
sufficiently open to enable you to see 30 or 50 yards 
ahead, there is no great danger, but thick and 
opaque bush will certainly lead to a mishap, that 
may be fatal. It must be well remembered that 
when a buffalo attacks, it never quits the body of its 
enemy until it has stamped out every sign of life. 
